(VOVWORLD) -Hoang Sa Exhibition House, a popular tourist destination in Da Nang, has a special meaning for Vietnamese people. On display are 300 documents, artifacts, maps, and pictures of historical value that document Vietnam’s exploration, establishment, and protection of sovereignty over the Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago, from the early Nguyen lords to the present.
 Hoang Sa Exhibition House in Da Nang city (Photo: VOV) |
Located in Hoang Sa street, one of Vietnam’s most beautiful coastal roads, in Son Tra district, Da Nang city, Hoang Sa Exhibition House faces the East Sea. The building consists of two square blocks, symbolizing the shape of “Vietnam’s Sovereignty Seal". The design was inspired by the sovereignty seal of King Minh Mang (1791-1841) of the Nguyen dynasty.
King Minh Mang’s seal on the document establishing the Hoang Sa flotilla was an important milestone in establishing and exercising Vietnam's indisputable sovereignty over the Hoang Sa archipelago.
Viewed from an angle, the 3D block on the facade shows an image of Vietnam’s red flag with a yellow star, symbolizing that the whole country looks toward the beloved Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos.
Le Khanh Ly, a student at the Da Nang University of Education said: “Visiting the Hoang Sa Exhibition House, I became more aware of Vietnam’s sovereignty over its sacred sea and islands, including the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelago. Young people like me are telling others about national sea and island sovereignty. Hoang Sa and Truong Sa belong to Vietnam.”
 Young people visit the Hoang Sa Exhibition House to learn about national sea and island sovereignty. (Photo: VOV) |
In the Hoang Sa Exhibition House, documents and artifacts are organized around five themes: geographical location and natural conditions of the archipelago; Hoang Sa in ancient Vietnamese documents before the Nguyen dynasty; Hoang Sa in ancient documents of the Nguyen dynasty (1802-1945); evidence of Vietnam's sovereignty over Hoang Sa from 1945-1974; and evidence of Vietnam's sovereignty over Hoang Sa from 1974 to the present.
Old maps and documents dating back hundreds of years, sea shells, and other items on display affirm Vietnam's sovereignty over Hoang Sa and the role of the sea and islands in national construction and defense.
Lieutenant Le Xuan Thiem of the Son Tra Border Guard Station, Da Nang City Border Guard Command, said: “We hold seminars at the Exhibition House to disseminate information about Vietnam's sea and islands. We regularly organize social security programs for fishermen and resolutely defend the sovereignty of the sea and islands.”
Opened to the public in March 2018, Hoang Sa Exhibition House offers free admission and welcomes tens of thousands of visitors per year. Vo Ngoc Dong, Director of Da Nang’s Department of Home Affairs and Chairman of the People's Committee of Hoang Sa district, said: “We ask the Hoang Sa Exhibition House to develop programs and enhance communications to raise people’s awareness of national sea and island sovereignty."
Dong added: "We integrate communication, sightseeing, and the history curriculum of local schools. We have coordinated with the Youth Union, the Department of Education and Training, and the Department of Tourism to introduce Hoang Sa documents to Vietnamese and foreign tourists. We have organized mobile exhibitions at universities and high schools so students can study the historical evidence and legal basis of Vietnam's sovereignty over Hoang Sa.”
The Hoang Sa Exhibition House has been digitizing documents to display on its website to give people around the world accurate information about Vietnam's sovereignty over the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos.